Sophia Holmes and the Reichenbach Fall (Sherlock's Daughter Fanfic) *Completed*

"I'm so glad you could make it, Mr Holmes," the Director of the gallery says as we arrive. "The police have been in but I'm afraid they couldn't help us much. As you can appreciate, this is a high priority painting and should have had the highest security protocols in place at all times. I do hope you can shed some light on what we've missed."

"I'm sure we can," dad says, as the Director leads us into his office. "What are the security protocols exactly?"

"I'm sure the auction house will answer that question better," he replies. "I can only go on what our representative witnessed."

"I don't work off heresay," dad replies. "Where is he, your representative?"

"Right, of course," the Director responds, flustered. "I believe she's in her office."

He leads us to the back of the building where there is a corridor of offices and knocks on one near the middle.

A woman in her fifties answers, looking harried.

"You must be Sherlock and Sophia Holmes," she says gesturing us inside but looks cluelessly up at John. "And..."

"John Watson," he replies, nodding.

"Good morning," she smiles nervously.

"How long have you been a representative of the National Gallery Ms..."

"Lamb," the woman replies to dad. "Elizabeth Lamb. I belive it must be well over twenty years."

"And in that time you must have seen quite a few auctions,"

"Yes," she answers. "Hundreds. But not so many like this one."

"How many heists have you witnessed?" I ask and she considers.

"I would say around three - at the auction house anyway. Art is one of the most stolen items because it is the most profitable."

"And did this one differ at all?" I ask.

"This one happened during the auction itself," she replies.

"While they were selling the painting?" John clarifies and she nods.

"Yeah. There was a group of them - they didn't sound English - and they burst in with guns."

"Did you see what happen to the painting?" dad asks but she shakes her head.

"We were on floor," she replies. "But I understand they would have followed house protocol which is for the auctioneer to roll the painting up and leave through the back entrance."

"Did you recognise the auctioneer?" I ask.

"Yes," Lamb answers. "It's always the same one for a high profile one. Nice man as well, I can't imagine what this must be doing to him."

"Thank you for your time, Ms Lamb," dad says walking back towards the door. She appears slightly stunned by our early exit but we've got all we need. The gallery clearly had no part to play.